Full-color-emitting CaYAl3O7:Pr3+,Ce3+ phosphor for near-UV LED-based white light

A full-color-emitting phosphor, CaYAl3O7:Pr3+,Ce3+ was synthesized through conventional solid-state reaction. The structural properties of the phosphor were analyzed by Rietveld refinement, maximum entropy method, and luminescent properties were analyzed by co-activating with different rare earth ions. Photoluminescence spectra on excitation with 450 nm source were dominated by green band at 490 nm originating from 3P0→3H4 transition of Pr3+ ions and less intense band at 617 nm due to 1D2→3H4 transition. On codoping with Ce3+, phosphor exhibits an additional broad band originating from 5d1→4f1 (2F7/2 and 2F5/2) of Ce3+, centered at around 540 nm due to efficient energy transfer from Pr3+ levels to Ce3+ levels. With this emission property we recommend CaYAl3O7:Pr3+,Ce3+ as potential single-phase full-color-emitting phosphor for solid-state lighting applications. - Highlights: • A full color emitting phosphor CaYAl3O7:Pr3+ was developed. • Structural properties were analyzed using neutron diffraction accompanied with MEM analysis. • Emission spectral properties were improved by coactivating with Ce3+ ions. • Energy transfer from Pr3+ levels to Ce3+ levels was observed